ES2909132T3 - Portable inhalable vapor production device - Google Patents

Abstract

A portable inhalable vapor production device (2000), comprising: a cartridge (2120) having an opening and containing a liquid (2150); a channel outside the cartridge (2120) that is continuous with the opening and positioned to receive liquid (2150) from the cartridge (2120); and a heat source (2200), the portable steam production device (2000) being characterized by: a thermal valve (2160) that changes shape when heated and includes a first metallic layer and a second metallic layer, the second metallic layer placed facing the heat source (2200) and having a coefficient of thermal expansion higher than the first metallic layer, having the thermal valve (2160) a first confirmation when it is not heated that seals the opening and a second shaping when heated that opens the opening to allow liquid (2150) to flow from the cartridge (2120) into the channel; a thermal absorber plate (2170, 9800) having a plurality of pores and in fluid communication with the channel, the thermal absorber plate (2170, 9800) configured to receive liquid (2150) from the channel within the plurality of pores and includes: at least one absorbent plate portion (9802a, 9802b); and a resistive heating element (9804) in the vicinity of at least one absorbent plate portion (9802a, 9802b) for heating at least one absorbent plate portion (9802a, 9802b) to a first temperature; and the heat source (2200) configured to apply heat to the thermal valve (2160) and thermal absorber plate (2170, 9800) to heat at least one absorber plate (9802a, 9802b) from the first temperature to a temperature threshold.

Description

DESCRIPTION

Portable inhalable vapor production device

Background

Portable inhalable aerosol or vapor producing devices include tobacco delivery devices, such as electronic cigarettes, as well as inhalable drug delivery devices.

Some traditional inhalable vapor or aerosol generating devices are configured to heat a substance, usually in a liquid state, to the point where the substance becomes an inhalable vapor that the user can inhale.

Traditional devices are usually battery-powered and may include replaceable or rechargeable components that allow the user to replenish the supply of a substance that is vaporized.

Document EP 3522 960 A1, which falls under Article 54(3) EPC, describes systems, devices and methods used to generate and deliver a vapor or aerosol containing tobacco, for example for use in traditional smoking or for Administer smoking cessation therapy.

US 2016/262454 A1 describes a microfluidic vaporizer comprising a substrate defining: a reservoir configured to contain a liquid; a heater adapted to vaporize the liquid; and a capillary channel configured for movement of the liquid from the reservoir to the heater.

US 2006/196518 A1 describes a non-smokable aerosol electronic cigarette containing only nicotine without harmful tar.

US 2014/144429 A1 describes methods, devices, systems, and a computer-readable medium for administering one or more compounds to a subject.

WO 2015/097005 A1 describes a smoking article comprising a combustible heat source having opposite front and back faces; one or more airflow channels extending from the front face to the rear face of the fuel heat source; an aerosol-forming substrate downstream of the rear face; and a bimetallic thermostatic valve located between the back face and the aerosol-forming substrate. US 2004/170405 A1 discloses an aerosol generator including a fluid supply supplying fluid to a fluid passageway and a heater, heating the fluid to a gaseous state, the fluid passageway being located between opposing layers of a laminate.

US 6,234,167 B1 discloses an aerosol generator including a tube having first and second ends, a heater disposed relative to the tube for heating the tube, a source of material to be volatilized, the second end of the tube being in communication with the material source, an openable and closable valve operatively located between the material source and the tube, and a pressurizing device. US 2014/261492 A1 discloses an electronic smoking article including a heater in communication with a liquid supply reservoir including liquid material and operable to heat the liquid material to a temperature sufficient to volatilize the liquid material contained therein and form an aerosol.

Summary

The present invention provides a portable inhalable vapor production device as defined in claim 1. Other preferred embodiments of the invention are defined in the dependent claims. Systems, devices, and methods for generating an inhalable vapor or aerosol are described herein. As described herein, a device for generating an inhalable vapor or aerosol, in some embodiments, comprises a portable device.

The systems, devices, and methods described herein improve on traditional portable devices that produce inhalable vapor or aerosol in various ways.

Prevention of Vapor or Aerosol Contamination Generated

An example of how the systems, devices, and methods described herein improve on traditional portable devices that produce inhalable vapor or aerosol is that while traditional devices create toxic by-products that mix with the inhalable vapor or aerosol, portable systems, devices , and the methods described herein prevent contamination of the vapor or aerosol with toxic by-products.

Traditional portable vaporizing or aerosolizing devices, such as tobacco vaporizing or aerosolizing devices, are typically configured to apply heat to the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized through a Joule heating system in which the metal heating elements wound are heated by conducting a current through the coils. In these traditional devices, the coils are often ineffective at supplying heat to the substance, and are typically thermally coupled to the substance, and are typically located relatively close to the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized. The inaccuracy of heating associated with Joule heating, in the traditional vapor or aerosol production device, results in overheating of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized, resulting in the production of degradation or decomposition byproducts of the substance. substance. Furthermore, the proximity of the heating coils to the substance to be heated and the variability of temperatures achieved during heating that occurs in traditional devices results in the transfer of metallic components and degradation products from the metallic coils to the substance. to be vaporized or aerosolized. In, for example, devices used with tobacco products, the degradation products resulting from overheating are associated with a high level of toxicity.

Rather, the systems, devices, and methods described herein use a more precise heat source that prevents overheating of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized and will decouple the heat source from the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized to prevent any contaminants from the heat source reach the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the heat source comprises a light energy source, such as a laser. In these embodiments, a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized is placed on a target surface and a laser produces a beam that travels to the target surface thereby heating the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized and producing a vapor or aerosol. Because, in the systems, devices, and methods described herein, there is a precise heat source in the form of a laser (or other light energy source) and the heat source is decoupled from the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized. , there is an overall decrease in vapor or aerosol contamination that occurs as described.

Control of the size of the generated particles

Another example of how the systems, devices, and methods described herein improve upon traditional portable devices that produce inhalable vapor or aerosol is that while traditional devices are not configured to change the particle size of the inhalable vapor or aerosol, The systems, devices, and methods described herein are configured so that the particle size of the inhalable vapor or aerosol can be modified. Particle size and content affect a user's experience in that, for example, the size of the particles of the inhaled vapor or aerosol affects the texture and mouthfeel of the inhaled vapor or aerosol and the size of particles affects the distance along the airways that a vapor or aerosol tends to travel. Traditional portable vapor or aerosol producing devices such as, for example, tobacco vapor or aerosol producing devices are typically configured to generate and deliver a vapor or aerosol particle of consistent size. In contrast, in the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the user can modify, for example, the particle size of a vapor or aerosol. Modifying the particle size of the delivered vapor or aerosol, for example, produces a different effect for a user when the systems, devices, and methods described herein are used to generate tobacco-containing vapor or aerosol. For example, generating smaller particles from a tobacco-containing vapor or aerosol more closely simulates the texture and location of deposition in the airways (smaller particles tend to travel deeper into the airways) of smoking a cigarette. For example, generating larger particles from a tobacco-containing vapor or aerosol more closely simulates the texture and location of deposition in the airways (larger particles tend not to travel far in the airways) of smoking a cigarette.

Manual generation of inhalable vapors and aerosols

This document describes a portable inhalable vapor or aerosol production device comprising:

• a cartridge that has an opening and contains a liquid;

• a channel outside the cartridge that is continuous with the opening and positioned to receive liquid from the cartridge;

• a heat source;

• a thermal valve that changes shape when heated and includes a first metallic layer and a second metallic layer, the second metallic layer facing the heat source and having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the first metallic layer, having the thermal valve a first conformation when not heated that seals the opening and a second conformation when heated that uncovers the opening to allow liquid to flow from the cartridge to the channel; Y

• a thermal absorbing plate (also called a thermally conductive or thermally conductive plate) having a plurality of pores and in fluid communication with the channel, the thermal absorbing plate being configured to receive liquid from the channel within the plurality of pores and It includes:

-- at least one portion of absorbent plate; Y

-- a resistive heating element in the vicinity of at least one absorbent plate portion for heating at least one absorbent plate portion to a first temperature; Y

• wherein the heat source is configured to apply heat to the thermal valve and the thermal absorber plate to heat at least one absorber plate from the first temperature to a threshold temperature.

In some embodiments, the cartridge contains an ejector that advances liquid through the opening and into the channel when the opening is open. In some embodiments, the ejector moves without friction within the cartridge. In some embodiments, the ejector and cartridge are made of glass. In some embodiments, the cartridge can be removed from the device. In some embodiments, the cartridge contains a bag that opens at the opening and the liquid is inside the bag. In some embodiments, the bag is positioned to advance fluid through the opening and into the channel when the opening is open. In some embodiments, the user can refill the cartridge. In some embodiments, the cartridge is intentionally nonrefillable or single use. In some embodiments, the liquid comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the channel is configured so that liquid advances through the channel due to capillary action.

In some embodiments, the valve comprises a pin that is positioned to block the opening in the first conformation, and wherein the pin is positioned to move away from the opening in the second conformation thereby opening the opening. In some embodiments, the channel has a proximal end toward the cartridge and a distal end toward the thermal conductor, and wherein the channel flares into a reservoir at the distal end. In some embodiments, the thermal conductor is positioned to receive liquid from the reservoir. In some embodiments, the thermal conductor comprises a metal. In some embodiments, the thermal conductor comprises titanium. In some embodiments, the thermal conductor comprises a ceramic. In some embodiments, the thermal conductor is carbon based, such as carbon fiber. In some embodiments, the heat source comprises a light source. In some embodiments, the light source comprises a laser. In some embodiments, the device comprises an elliptical, parabolic, or compound parabolic reflector. In some embodiments, the device comprises a Fresnel lens, a concave lens, or a combination of these.

Described herein is a method of producing an inhalable vapor or aerosol with a portable device comprising:

• a cartridge that has an opening and contains a liquid;

• a channel outside the cartridge that is continuous with the opening and positioned to receive liquid from the cartridge;

• a heat source;

• a thermal valve that changes shape when heated and includes a first metallic layer and a second metallic layer, the second metallic layer facing the heat source and having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the first metallic layer, having the thermal valve a first conformation when not heated that seals the opening and a second conformation when heated that uncovers the opening to allow liquid to flow from the cartridge to the channel; Y

• a thermal absorbing plate (also called a thermally conductive or thermally conductive plate) having a plurality of pores and in fluid communication with the channel, the thermal absorbing plate being configured to receive liquid from the channel within the plurality of pores and It includes:

-- at least one portion of absorbent plate; Y

-- a resistive heating element in the vicinity of at least one absorbent plate portion for heating at least one absorbent plate portion to a first temperature; Y

• wherein the heat source is configured to apply heat to the thermal valve and the thermal absorber plate to heat at least one absorber plate from the first temperature to a threshold temperature. The method comprises: heating the thermal valve with the heat source thereby causing the thermal valve to change from the first conformation to the second conformation and thereby opening the opening in the cartridge which opens into the channel; advancing the liquid from the cartridge to the channel; receiving the liquid with the heat absorbing plate from the channel; and heating the thermal absorber plate with the liquid using the heat source thereby heating the liquid and producing a vapor or aerosol. In some embodiments, the method comprises receiving a flow of air through an opening located between the heat source and the thermal absorber plate. In some embodiments, the method comprises mixing the air and the vapor or aerosol. In some embodiments, the method comprises directing the air and vapor or aerosol mixing together at an impact wall, thereby preventing a user from inhaling larger particles. steam or aerosol. In some embodiments, the method comprises controlling the size of the vapor or aerosol particles. In some embodiments, the size of the vapor or aerosol particles is controlled by controlling the amount of heat that the heat source applies to the liquid. In some embodiments, the step of advancing liquid from the cartridge into the channel comprises advancing an ejector that is positioned in the cartridge such that the liquid is between the ejector and the opening. In some embodiments, the ejector moves without friction within the cartridge. In some embodiments, the ejector and cartridge are made of glass. In some embodiments, the method comprises removing the cartridge from the device. In some embodiments, the step of advancing liquid from the cartridge to the channel comprises contracting a bag placed in the cartridge such that liquid is within the bag and the bag is opened at the opening. In some embodiments, the bag is elastomeric. In some embodiments, the liquid comprises nicotine. In some embodiments, the method comprises advancing the liquid through the channel using capillary action.

In some embodiments, the valve comprises a pin that is positioned to block the opening in the first conformation, and wherein the pin is positioned to move away from the opening in the second conformation thereby opening the opening. In some embodiments, the channel has a proximal end toward the cartridge and a distal end toward the thermal conductor, and wherein the channel flares into a reservoir at the distal end. In some embodiments, the thermal conductor is positioned to receive liquid from the reservoir. In some embodiments, the thermal conductor comprises a metal. In some embodiments, the thermal conductor comprises titanium. In some embodiments, the thermal conductor comprises a ceramic. In some embodiments, the thermal conductor comprises a carbon-based material. In some embodiments, the heat source comprises a light source. In some embodiments, the light source comprises a laser. In some embodiments, the method comprises reflecting the laser with an elliptical reflector. In some embodiments, the method comprises collimating the laser with a Fresnel lens, a concave lens, or a combination of these.

Brief description of the drawings

The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description which sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are used, and accompanying drawings of which:

Figures 1A-1D respectively show top view, bottom view, side view, and perspective view illustrations of an exemplary embodiment of a portable device for generating an inhalable vapor or aerosol comprising a simulated smoking device.

Figure 2 shows an exploded view illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device.

Figure 3A shows a partially exploded view of an embodiment of a portable inhalable vapor generator device.

Figure 3B shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a portable inhalable vapor generating device including an enlarged view of a portion of the substance reservoir.

Figures 4A and 4B respectively show front and rear cross-sectional views of an exemplary embodiment of a liquid reservoir.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device.

Figure 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a portable inhalable vapor generating device comprising a feeder cap.

Figure 8 shows an illustration of an exemplary path of a vapor or aerosol stream through a handheld inhalable vapor generating device.

Fig. 9A provides an exploded view of the thermal absorber plate comprising a thermal absorber plate portion, a heating element and a thermal absorber plate portion.

Figure 9B illustrates an embodiment of a thermal absorber plate with the resistive heating element integrated within it as a single integrated unit.

Detailed description

This document describes systems, devices and methods for generating and delivering a vapor or aerosol inhalable. In some embodiments, the systems, devices, and methods described herein are used to generate and deliver a vapor or aerosol containing tobacco, tobacco derivatives, nicotine, or a combination of the aforementioned for use, for example, in the traditional smoking or, for example, to offer therapy to stop smoking. In some embodiments, the systems, devices, and methods described herein are used to generate and deliver a vapor or aerosol comprising a medicament. For example, in some embodiments, the systems, devices, and methods described herein are used to deliver an inhalable medicament to the lungs of a patient.

Before describing the subject matter disclosed herein in detail, it is to be understood that the subject matter is not limited in its application to the details of construction, experiments, exemplary data, and/or the arrangement of components set forth in the following description, or illustrated. in the drawings. The patentable subject matter described herein is subject to other variations, and therefore the variations described herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the patentable subject matter of the description in any way. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description only and should not be construed as limiting in any way.

As used herein, "a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized" comprises any of a gas, a liquid, a solid, or a mixture thereof, and further comprises a homogeneous substance or a mixture of one or more substances.

Portable simulated smoking device

Figures 1A-1D respectively show illustrations of a top view, a bottom view, a side view and a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a portable device for the generation of an inhalable vapor or aerosol comprising a vapor generating device or portable inhalable aerosol 1000. In general, a simulated smoking device 1000 is sized and shaped to approximate the size and shape of a smoking article such as a traditional cigarette (or e-cigarette) or traditional cigar .

As shown in FIG. 1A, the proximal end of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 1000, shown in top view, comprises an outlet 1010 that is directed toward the user when the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 1000 is in use. Outlet 1010 serves as an outlet for inhalable vapor or aerosol generated by portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 1000 that will enter the mouth and airways of a user. Figure 1A shows a housing 1008 that is configured in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein to contain a cartridge (not shown) of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 1000. Figure 1B shows a housing 1006 which, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, contains functional components (not shown) of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 1000.

As shown in FIG. 1C, the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 1000 has a proximal end 1002 that faces toward the user when the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 1000 is in use, and a distal end 1004 that faces toward the user. toward the opposite side of the user when the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 1000 is in use. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a simulated smoking device 1000 (or other embodiments of portable inhalable vapor generating devices) comprises a cartridge-containing portion 1012 comprising a first housing 1008 and a portion containing a main module 1014 comprising a second housing 1006. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the cartridge-containing portion 1012 of the simulated smoking device 1000 reversibly engages with the portion containing the main module 1014 of the simulated smoking device 1000 such that the two components can be separated by a user and, for example, replaced or refilled.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cartridge within cartridge-containing portion 1012 is configured to be replaceable. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the casing 1008 is replaceable along with the cartridge within it, and in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the housing 1008 is configured to be held by a user while the cartridge it contains is replaced or refilled.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cartridge-containing portion 1012 of the simulated smoking device 1000 and the main module-containing portion 1014 are not configured to be detachable by a user, but rather are combined to form a single integrated shell.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the size, shape, and appearance of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 1000 approximates the size, shape, and appearance of a traditional smoking article. such as a traditional cigarette, an electronic cigarette or a cigar.

Figure 1D shows the proximal end 1002 of the portable inhalable vapor or aerosol generating device 1000, with a beveled edge in this embodiment surrounding outlet 1010. Figure 1D shows the cartridge-containing portion 1012 of the aerosol or vapor generating device. portable inhalable 1000 together with the portion of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 1000 containing the portion containing the main module 1014.

Components of a portable aerosol and inhalable vapor generating device as an example

Figure 2 shows an exploded view illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 2000. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 2000 comprises a mouthpiece 2110, a cartridge 2120, a plunger spring 2130, a plunger 2140 (or ejector), a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150, a thermal valve assembly 2160, a thermal absorber plate 2170, a gasket 2180 reservoir, 2190 parabolic concentrator reflector, 2200 laser emitter, 2210 laser reflector, 2220 laser housing, 2230 computer processing unit (CPU), 2240 battery, 2250 main housing, 2260 bulkhead, and 2260 housing internal 2270. It should be understood, and in some cases will be explained below, that in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described in the pres Throughout this document, some of the above listed components of the exemplary portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 2000 may be omitted or added without departing from the described patentable subject matter.

A mouthpiece 2110, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, includes a housing, an opening (not shown), and a hollow interior. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a mouthpiece 2110 is configured to provide or form one or more passageways through which generated vapor or aerosol travels into the mouth and airways of a patient. Username. In some embodiments, as will be explained, a passageway within a nozzle 2110 is configured to remove large contaminant particles from a vapor or aerosol stream by providing impingement walls that force the vapor or aerosol stream into a path that allows the travel of small particles, while preventing large particles from traveling past the point of impact with the impact wall. A mouthpiece 2110, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, contains or surrounds a cartridge 2120.

A cartridge 2120 is configured to contain a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cartridge 2120 is further configured to actively deliver the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 to one or more channels within thermal valve assembly 2160. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, cartridge 2120 further contains a plunger 2140, and in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein As used herein, a cartridge 2120 contains a plunger spring 2130. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a plunger 2140 is positioned within a cartridge 2120 such that the plunger 2140 is positioned near the user in relation to the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 when the nozzle 2110 of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 2000 is oriented toward the mouth of the user (i.e., the plunger 2140 is closer to the proximal end of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 2000 than the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150) . In these embodiments, plunger 2140 is so positioned as to push substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 out of cartridge 2120 distally relative to the position of a user. It should be understood, however, that multiple configurations and orientations of components within cartridge 2120 are also suitable for use with the systems, devices, and methods described herein. For example, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, plunger 2140 is positioned distally of a user relative to the position of a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 when mouthpiece 2110 is oriented toward the user. user's mouth. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, for example, cartridge 2120 is not positioned within mouthpiece 2110, but rather is in the main module portion of portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 2000. , for instance.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a plunger 2140, within a cartridge 2120, is positioned so that the plunger 2140 abuts the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150, and is further configured such that the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 is advanced out of the cartridge 2120, the plunger 2140 is advanced in a direction distal to a user when the mouthpiece 2110 of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 2000 is oriented toward the mouth of the user. Username. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, plunger 2140 is advanced within cartridge 2120 by a plunger spring 2130. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a plunger spring plunger 2130 is in operative communication with plunger 2140, such that plunger spring 2130 transmits a force to plunger 2140, causing plunger 2140 to advance and push the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 into one or more channels within of the 2160 thermal valve assembly.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the plunger spring 2130 is omitted, and one or more of the outer surfaces of the plunger 2140 and the inner surface of the cartridge 2120 comprise a material that creates seamless motion. friction of the 2140 plunger inside the 2120 cartridge. For example, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, plunger 2140 has an outer surface of glass and cartridge 2120 has an inner surface of glass. In some of these embodiments, which have two glass surfaces, a thin layer of liquid is placed between the glass surface of plunger 2140 and the inner glass surface of cartridge 2120 so that plunger 2140 moves without friction against the inner surface. cartridge 2120. In some of these embodiments, which have two glass surfaces, the cartridge 2120 does not include a plunger spring 2130. In some of these embodiments, which have two glass surfaces, the thin layer of fluid between the plunger 2140 and cartridge 2120 is the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150. In some of these embodiments of cartridge 2120, a plunger 2140 comprises a feeder plug comprising a piston-shaped body that in some embodiments has a hollow interior filled with air.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a plunger 2140 advances against a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 when a user engages the mouthpiece 2110 and draws out the vapor, creating a suction force that is transmitted to the plunger 2140 through an opening in the cartridge 2120, which advances the plunger 2140 against the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 and thereby pushes the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 out of the cartridge 2120 through from an opening (not shown) in cartridge 2120 and into one or more channels (not shown) within a thermal valve assembly 2160.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cartridge 2120 omits the plunger spring 2130 and plunger 2140 and comprises a bag (not shown) or balloon (not shown) that advances the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 from one or more channels. In these embodiments, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 is placed within the bag or balloon such that when the bag or balloon is compressed or advanced against the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 is advanced through the opening and out of cartridge 2120 and into one or more channels (not shown) within a thermal valve assembly 2160.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cartridge 2120 omits plunger spring 2130 and plunger 2140 and comprises a reservoir of a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150. In some of the systems, devices and methods described herein, a cartridge 2120 containing a reservoir of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 is pressurized relative to atmospheric pressure. In some of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cartridge 2120 containing a reservoir of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 is maintained at a pressure essentially equal to atmospheric pressure by an air-permeable membrane that provides a flow of air into cartridge 2120 when a user applies a suction force to cartridge 2120 drawing a flow of air, vapor, and/or aerosol from nozzle 2110.

A thermal valve assembly 2160, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, comprises one or more channels (not shown) and a thermal valve (not shown). One or more channels, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, are continuous with an opening in cartridge 2120 such that one or more channels are positioned to receive a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 from the cartridge 2120. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, one or more channels are configured such that they advance a liquid substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 along its length through the action capillary. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, one or more of the channels flares over a portion of their length to form a reservoir of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150. In some embodiments, a portion widened of one or more channels is supported by a thermal absorption plate 2170.

A thermal valve is a valve positioned within thermal valve assembly 2160 such that when heated, the thermal valve opens an opening in cartridge 2120 that opens into one or more channels. The thermal valve is configured to change from a first conformation to a second conformation when the thermal valve is heated. Wherein, in the first embodiment of the thermal valve, a component of the thermal valve, such as a rod, is positioned to block the opening of the cartridge 2120, and in the second embodiment of the thermal valve, the rod is moves away from the opening, thus opening it and allowing the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 to advance into one or more channels.

A change from a first conformation of the thermal valve to a second conformation of the thermal valve is achieved by incorporating in the thermal valve two materials, each of which has a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the other. A thermal valve comprises a bimetallic portion that is composed of two different metals, each with a different thermal coefficient of thermal expansion than the other. The first metal having a first thermal coefficient of thermal expansion comprises a first layer, and the second metal having a second thermal coefficient of thermal expansion comprises a second layer. The second layer having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion is placed facing a heat source so that it is closer to the heat source than the layer having the relatively lower coefficient of thermal expansion. Therefore, when the second layer with the higher coefficient of thermal expansion is heated, it tends to expand outward and away from the first layer with the higher coefficient of thermal expansion. lower thermal expansion, so that the entire layered portion tends to arc towards the heat source, thus changing the conformation of the thermal valve. In these embodiments, when the second layer of the thermal valve or a portion of the thermal valve is heated, the heated segment arcs toward the heat source and changes the conformation of the thermal valve. In these embodiments, the thermal valve moves within the thermal valve assembly as the thermal valve changes shape in response to heating, and thereby moves the component of the thermal valve that blocks the opening of the cartridge away from the opening, thus opening the opening. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a first layer of a portion of the thermal valve that faces a heat source comprises copper, and a second layer of a portion of the thermal valve comprising iron is placed with its back to the heat source. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the surface of the bimetallic portion is coated with an IR absorbing coating. The IR absorbing coating, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, is black in color and behaves as close as possible to an ideal blackbody. In these embodiments, photons of incident light from an IR heat source are absorbed by the cladding atoms, causing the cladding atoms to vibrate and heat up. Acting as a heat conducting barrier, the energy absorbed by the coating will be transferred to the surface of the bilayer portion, causing the bilayer portion of the thermal valve to change shape as described above.

A thermal absorber plate 2170 is positioned to receive a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 from one or more channels within thermal valve assembly 2160. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, one or more channels within thermal valve assembly 2160 enlarge in diameter to form a reservoir immediately prior to merging with thermal absorber plate 2170. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, thermal absorber plate 2170 comprises a porous material that is positioned to receive the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 within its pores. For example, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 comprises a nicotine-containing liquid that advances from cartridge 2120 into one or more channels within the thermal valve assembly. 2160 as described, advanced through one or more channels by capillary action, and received in the pores of thermal absorber plate 2170. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 passes through the pores of the thermal absorption plate 2170 to reach a surface of the thermal absorption plate 2170 which is placed in front of a heat source. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the surface of thermal absorber plate 2170 that faces the heat source comprises areas that are recessed so that when the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 reaches surface, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 enters and is contained in one or more of the recessed areas. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, similar to the thermal valve of thermal valve assembly 2160, the surface of thermal absorbing plate 2170 is coated with an IR absorbing coating to facilitate heating with an IR heat source. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a porous material that is suitable for use in thermal absorber plate 2170 is titanium metal. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a porous material that is suitable for use in thermal absorber plate 2170 is a ceramic. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a porous material that is suitable for use in thermal absorber plate 2170 is a carbon-based material, such as carbon fiber. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a ceramic is composed of porous zirconia.

A reservoir gasket 2180 is positioned so that a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 does not leak around the thermal absorber plate 2170, but is instead directed to travel from the reservoir to the end of one or more channels and into the pores. of the porous material of the heat absorbing plate 2170. When heat is applied to the thermal absorber plate 2170 containing a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150, the entire thermal absorber plate 2170 is heated, thereby heating the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 that is within it (ie, within its pores and within the one or more voids on its surface). In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 placed on the surface of thermal absorber plate 2170 heats faster than the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 that is on the surface. inside the pores of the thermal absorption plate 2170 and, as such, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 on the surface of the thermal absorption plate 2170 vaporizes or aerosolizes faster than the substance within the pores of the plate In general, because, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, thermal absorber plate 2170 is configured to conduct heat throughout, a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 that is in contact with a surface of the thermal absorber plate 2170 or within any of its pores will vaporize or it will form an aerosol when heated to the proper temperature by the 2170 thermal absorption plate.

Thermal valve assembly 2160 and thermal absorber plate 2170 are positioned in proximity to each other within portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 2000 and positioned for optimal heating. by a heat source. Generally, in most embodiments, the thermal valve assembly 2160 and thermal absorber plate 2170 are contained within the cartridge 2120 that contains the portion of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 2000.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a main module is contained within a main housing 2250 of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 2000 and comprises a parabolic concentrating reflector 2190, a laser emitter 2200, a laser reflector 2210, a laser housing 2220, a computer processing unit (CPU) 2230, a battery 2240, a partition 2260, and an internal housing 2270.

A heat source provides heat to at least one thermal valve and thermal absorber plate 2170 of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 2000. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a heat source comprises a laser emitter 2200. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a heat source comprises an IR laser emitter. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the heat source comprises an energy emitter, such as an LED light source. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the heat source comprises an energy emitter, such as a convection or microwave heating assembly.

A laser emitter 2200 in some embodiments is within a laser housing 2220 and includes an assembly including reflectors and lenses that perform one or more of the functions of focusing, directing, and collimating the light energy emitted from the emitter. laser 2200. In some embodiments, a laser reflector 2210 is positioned near laser emitter 2200 and is configured to direct the emitted laser toward thermal valve assembly 2160 and thermal absorber plate 2170. In some embodiments of systems, devices, and methods described herein, a parabolic concentrating reflector 2190 is positioned between a laser emitter 2200 and a thermal absorber plate 2170 and configured to focus light energy emitted from the laser emitter 2200. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cylindrical Fresnel lens and a concave lens (not shown) are placed between the emitter laser 2200 and the thermal valve assembly 2160 and the thermal absorber plate 2170. The concave lens is configured to diverge the light energy emitted by the laser emitter 2200 and the cylindrical Fresnel lens which is placed closer to the two of the thermal valve 2160 and thermal absorber plate 2170 is configured to collimate the light energy emitted by laser emitter 2200. The Fresnel lens is ideal for this system because it requires less material to operate compared to other types of lenses. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, there will also be a gold elliptical reflector (not shown) that encloses the IR absorbing portion of the lens and is configured to redirect any lost emitted energy.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the wavelength of an energy that is emitted from a heat source, such as light energy emitted from a laser emitter 2200, is matched to an absorbance of a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150. In some embodiments, the wavelength of an emitted energy can be adjusted by using, for example, a CPU 2230 to modify the wavelength of a laser emitter 2200. The wavelengths Optimum absorbance values of a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 are determined, for example, by a standard absorbance curve.

In some of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 2000 comprises a plurality of emitters, each configured to emit energy having a different wavelength. For example, in one embodiment where a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 comprises a mixture of a drug and an excipient and each has a different optimal absorbance wavelength, a first emitter is configured or adjusted to emit energy at a wavelength that is optimally absorbed by the drug, and a second emitter is set or adjusted to emit energy at a wavelength that is optimally absorbed by the excipient.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 2000 further includes an internal casing 2270 that houses a CPU 2230, a battery 2240, and at least a portion of the other components. of the main module. In some embodiments, a partition 2260 is configured to engage the main module with cartridge 2120, thermal valve assembly 2160, and thermal absorber plate 2170. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods, internal housing 2270 comprises a opening that is positioned to be continuous with a port in the housing of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 2000. In these embodiments, a flow of air from outside the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 2000 may enter the generating device portable inhalable aerosol or vapor 2000 through a port in the housing of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 2000 and then travel through an opening in the wall of the inner housing 2270 to reach the interior of the vapor generating device or portable inhalable aerosol 2000 and mix with a vapor or aerosol generated by the inhalation generating device portable inhalable vapor or aerosol 2000. In these embodiments, a partition 2260 is configured to engage with the inner housing 2270 such that the opening in the wall of the inner housing 2270 is not obstructed. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a septum 2260 comprises a coupler or opening configured to receive one or more of the cartridge 2120, thermal valve assembly 2160, and thermal absorber plate 2170, or portions thereof.

A battery 2240 is configured to provide a power source to the heat source, CPU 2230, and any other powered components of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 2000. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein document, a 2240 battery is a rechargeable battery. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a battery 2240 is a lithium ion battery or a rechargeable lithium ion battery. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a battery 2240 is a lithium manganese oxide battery, a lithium manganese cobalt oxide battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery, a lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide battery or a lithium titanate battery.

A CPU 2230 in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, includes software that controls and monitors the function of laser emitter 2200.

A system, in some embodiments, comprises a CPU 2230 that is configured to communicate with one or more remote processors. In these system embodiments, a CPU 2230 is configured to receive commands from a remote processor and provide performance and/or usage data to a remote processor. In embodiments where a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 comprises a drug, a system is configured for a remote processor to provide commands to the CPU 2230 that adjust the dosage of the generated vapor or aerosol, for example, by causing the CPU 2230 modify the duration for which heat is applied to the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 or, for example, have the CPU 2230 modify the temperature of the heat that is applied to the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150.

Precise heating using, for example, a laser emitter 2200 and a CPU 2230 provides precise temperature control of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 in terms of both the amount of heat applied and the duration of application . Since heating to a relatively higher temperature and/or longer duration generally generates smaller vapor or aerosol particles, and heating to a relatively lower temperature and/or shorter duration generates a larger vapor or aerosol particles, the particle size of a generated vapor or aerosol is precisely controlled by the 2200 laser emitter in conjunction with the 2230 CPU.

Embodiments of substance reservoir cartridge

Figure 3A shows a partially exploded view of an exemplary embodiment of a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 3000. In some embodiments of the system, devices, and methods described herein, a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 3000, as shown in Figure 3A, comprises a substance reservoir 3100, a mouthpiece 3110, a cartridge 3120, a thermal valve assembly 3160, a battery 3240, a main casing 3250, a partition 3260, an internal casing 3270, a liquid reservoir manifold 3280 and an air permeable membrane 3290. Figure 3B shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a portable inhalable vapor generating device 3000 including an enlarged view of a portion of the substance reservoir 3100. In some embodiments of the system, devices, and methods described herein, a steam generating device or aero Portable inhalable ol 3000 as shown in Figure 3B comprises a substance reservoir 3100, a mouthpiece 3110, a cartridge 3120, a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150, a thermal valve assembly 3160, a thermal absorber plate 3170, a 3180 reservoir gasket, a 3190 parabolic concentrator reflector, a 3200 laser emitter, a 3210 laser reflector, a 3220 laser housing, a 3230 computer processing unit (CPU), a 3240 battery, a 3250 main housing, a 3260 bulkhead, a 3270 inner shell, a 3280 liquid reservoir manifold, and a 3290 air-permeable membrane.

A mouthpiece 3110, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, includes a housing, an opening (not shown), and a hollow interior. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a mouthpiece 3110 is configured to provide or form one or more passageways through which generated vapor or aerosol travels into the mouth and airways of a patient. Username. In some embodiments, as will be explained, a passageway within a nozzle 3110 is configured to remove large contaminant particles from a vapor or aerosol stream by providing impingement walls that force the vapor or aerosol stream into a path that allows the travel of vapor or aerosol. small particles, while preventing large particles from traveling past the point of impact with the impact wall. A mouthpiece 3110, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, contains or surrounds a cartridge 3120.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cartridge 3120 omits the plunger spring 3130 and plunger 3140 (or ejector) and comprises a reservoir of a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150. In some of In the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cartridge 3120 containing a reservoir of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 is pressurized relative to atmospheric pressure. In some of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a 3120 cartridge containing a reservoir of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 is maintained at a pressure essentially equal to atmospheric pressure by an air-permeable membrane that provides airflow into the 3120 cartridge when a user applies a suction force to the 3120 cartridge drawing in a stream of air, vapor, and/or aerosol of the 3110 nozzle.

As shown in Figures 3A and 3B, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cartridge 3120 comprises a substance reservoir 3100 containing a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150. A substance reservoir 3100 is configured to contain a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 and to deliver the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 to one or more channels within thermal valve assembly 3160. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described in Herein, cartridge 3120 is pressurized relative to atmospheric pressure such that when an opening in cartridge 3120 is opened, a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 advances due to a pressure difference between the interior of cartridge 3120 and the atmospheric pressure outside the 3120 cartridge. In some embodiment of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, cartridge 3120 includes a resilient pressure vessel 3300 within it that is configured to maintain a pressurized environment within cartridge 3120 as a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 advances out of cartridge 3120, decreasing the amount of substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 within liquid cartridge 3120. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, cartridge 3120 has an internal pressure that is approximately equal to atmospheric pressure and includes a membrane 3290 air-permeable membrane located within the 3280 reservoir manifold. In these embodiments, the 3290 air-permeable membrane communicates with the 3120 cartridge and allows air to enter the 3120 cartridge, thereby maintaining atmospheric pressure within the 3120 cartridge as which advances a liquid substance and pushes the air out of the liquid cartridge 3120 with it. By maintaining atmospheric pressure within the cartridge 3120 in these embodiments, the air-permeable membrane 3190 allows for the maintenance of continuous flow of a liquid substance that vaporizes or aerosolizes 3150 out of the cartridge 3120.

A thermal valve assembly 3160, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, comprises one or more channels (not shown) and a thermal valve (not shown). One or more channels, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, are continuous with an opening in the cartridge 3120 such that one or more channels are positioned to receive a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 from the cartridge 3120. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, one or more channels are configured to advance a liquid substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 along its length through the action capillary. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, one or more of the channels flares over a portion of their length to form a reservoir of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150. In some embodiments, a portion flanged with one or more channels is supported by a 3170 thermal absorber plate.

A thermal valve is a valve positioned within the thermal valve assembly 3160 such that when heated, the thermal valve opens an opening in the cartridge 3120 that opens into one or more channels. The thermal valve is configured to change from a first conformation to a second conformation when the thermal valve is heated. Wherein, in the first embodiment of the thermal valve, a component of the thermal valve, such as a rod, is positioned to block the opening of the cartridge 3120, and in the second embodiment of the thermal valve, the rod is moves away from the opening, thus opening it up and allowing the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 to advance into one or more channels.

A change from a first conformation of the thermal valve to a second conformation of the thermal valve is achieved by incorporating in the thermal valve two materials, each of which has a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the other. A thermal valve comprises a bimetallic portion that is composed of two different metals, each with a different thermal coefficient of thermal expansion than the other. The first metal having a first thermal coefficient of thermal expansion comprises a first layer, and the second metal having a second thermal coefficient of thermal expansion comprises a second layer. The second layer having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion is placed facing a heat source so that it is closer to the heat source than the layer having the relatively lower coefficient of thermal expansion. Therefore, when the second layer with the higher coefficient of thermal expansion is heated, it tends to expand outward and away from the first layer with the lower coefficient of thermal expansion, so that the entire layered portion tends to expand. to arc towards the heat source, thus changing the conformation of the thermal valve. In these embodiments, when the second layer of the thermal valve or a portion of the thermal valve is heated, the heated segment arcs toward the heat source and changes the conformation of the thermal valve. In these embodiments, the thermal valve moves within the thermal valve assembly as the thermal valve changes shape in response to heating, and thereby moves the component of the thermal valve that blocks the opening of the cartridge away from the opening, thus opening the opening. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a first layer of a portion of the thermal valve that faces a heat source comprises copper, and a second layer of a portion of the thermal valve comprising iron is placed with its back to the heat source. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the surface of the bimetallic portion is coated with an IR absorbing coating. The The IR absorbing coating, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, is black in color and behaves as close as possible to an ideal blackbody. In these embodiments, photons of incident light from an IR heat source are absorbed by the cladding atoms, causing the cladding atoms to vibrate and heat up. Acting as a heat conducting barrier, the energy absorbed by the coating will be transferred to the surface of the bilayer portion, causing the bilayer portion of the thermal valve to change shape as described above.

A thermal absorber plate 3170 is positioned to receive a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 from one or more channels within thermal valve assembly 3160. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, one or more channels within thermal valve assembly 3160 enlarge in diameter to form a reservoir immediately prior to merging with thermal absorber plate 3170. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, thermal absorber plate 3170 comprises a porous material that is positioned to receive the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 within its pores. For example, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 comprises a nicotine-containing liquid that advances from the cartridge 3120 into one or more channels within the thermal valve assembly. 3160 as described, advanced through one or more channels by capillary action, and received in the pores of the 3170 thermal absorber plate. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 passes through the pores of the thermal absorption plate 3170 to reach a surface of the thermal absorption plate 3170 which is placed in front of a heat source. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the surface of thermal absorber plate 3170 that faces the heat source comprises areas that are recessed so that when the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 reaches surface, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 enters and is contained in one or more of the recessed areas. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, similar to the thermal valve of thermal valve assembly 3160, the surface of thermal absorbing plate 3170 is coated with an IR absorbing coating to facilitate heating with an IR heat source. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a porous material that is suitable for use in thermal absorber plate 3170 is titanium metal. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a porous material that is suitable for use in thermal absorber plate 3170 is a carbon-based material, such as carbon fiber. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a porous material that is suitable for use in thermal absorber plate 3170 is a ceramic. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a ceramic is composed of porous zirconia.

A reservoir gasket 3180 is positioned so that a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 does not leak around the thermal absorber plate 3170, but is instead directed to travel from the reservoir to the end of one or more channels and into the pores. of the porous material of the heat absorbing plate 3170. When heat is applied to the thermal absorber plate 3170 containing a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150, the entire thermal absorber plate 3170 is heated, thereby heating the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 that is within it (ie, within its pores and within the one or more voids on its surface). In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 placed on the surface of thermal absorber plate 3170 heats faster than the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 that is on the surface. within the pores of the thermal absorption plate 3170, and as such, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 on the surface of the thermal absorption plate 3170 vaporizes or aerosolizes faster than the substance within the pores of the thermal absorption plate. thermal absorber 3170. In general, because, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the thermal absorber plate 3170 is configured to conduct heat throughout a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 that is in contact with a surface of the 3170 thermal absorber plate or within any of its pores will vaporize or it will form an aerosol when heated to the proper temperature by the 3170 thermal absorber plate.

Thermal valve assembly 3160 and thermal absorber plate 3170 are positioned in proximity to each other within portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 3000 and are positioned to be optimally heated by a heat source. Typically, in most embodiments, the thermal valve assembly 3160 and thermal absorber plate 3170 are contained within the cartridge 3120 that contains the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device portion 3000.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a main module is contained within a main housing 3250 of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 3000 and comprises a parabolic concentrating reflector 3190, a laser emitter 3200, a laser reflector 3210, a laser housing 3220, a computer processing unit (CPU) 3230, a battery 3240, a partition 3260 and an internal housing 3270.

A heat source provides heat to at least one thermal valve and thermal absorber plate 3170 of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 3000. In some embodiments of the systems, In the devices and methods described herein, a heat source comprises a laser emitter 3200. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a heat source comprises an IR laser emitter. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the heat source comprises an LED light source. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the heat source comprises a convective or microwave heating assembly.

A laser emitter 3200 in some embodiments is within a laser housing 3220 and includes an assembly that includes reflectors and lenses that do one or more of the following functions: focus, direct, and collimate light energy that is emitted from the laser emitter; laser 3200. In some embodiments, a laser reflector 3210 is positioned near laser emitter 3200 and is configured to direct the emitted laser toward thermal valve assembly 3160 and thermal absorber plate 3170. In some embodiments of systems, devices, and methods described herein, a parabolic concentrating reflector 3190 is positioned between a laser emitter 3200 and a thermal absorber plate 3170 and configured to focus light energy emitted from the laser emitter 3200. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cylindrical Fresnel lens and a concave lens (not shown) are placed between the laser emitter be 3200 and the thermal valve assembly 3160 and the thermal absorber plate 3170. The concave lens is configured to diverge the light energy emitted by the laser emitter 3200 and the cylindrical Fresnel lens which is placed closer to the two of the assembly of 3160 thermal valve and 3170 thermal absorber plate is configured to collimate the light energy emitted by the 3200 laser emitter. The Fresnel lens is ideal for this system because it requires less material to operate compared to other types of lenses. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, there will also be a gold elliptical reflector (not shown) that encloses the IR absorbing portion of the target and is configured to redirect any lost emitted energy.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the wavelength of an energy that is emitted from a heat source, such as light energy emitted from a laser emitter 3200, is matched to an absorbance of a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150. In some embodiments, the wavelength of an emitted energy can be adjusted by using, for example, a CPU 3230 to modify the wavelength of a laser emitter 3200. The wavelengths Optimal absorbance curves of a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 are determined, for example, by a standard absorbance curve.

In some of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 3000 comprises a plurality of emitters, each configured to emit energy having a different wavelength. For example, in one embodiment where a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 comprises a mixture of a drug and an excipient and each has a different optimal absorbance wavelength, a first emitter is configured or adjusted to emit energy at a wavelength that is optimally absorbed by the drug and a second emitter is set or adjusted to emit energy at a wavelength that is optimally absorbed by the excipient.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 3000 further includes an internal casing 3270 that houses a CPU 3230, a battery 3240, and at least a portion of the other components. of the main module. In some embodiments, a partition 3260 is configured to engage the main module with cartridge 3120, thermal valve assembly 3160, and thermal absorber plate 3170. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods, internal housing 3270 comprises a opening that is positioned to be continuous with a port in the housing of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 3000. In these embodiments, a flow of air from outside the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 3000 may enter the generating device portable inhalable aerosol or vapor 3000 through a port in the housing of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 3000 and then travel through an opening in the wall of the inner housing 3270 to reach the interior of the vapor generating device or portable inhalable aerosol 3000 and mix with a vapor or aerosol generated by the v-generating device apor or portable inhalable aerosol 3000. In these embodiments, a partition 3260 is configured to engage with the inner housing 3270 such that the opening in the wall of the inner housing 3270 is not obstructed. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a septum 3260 comprises a coupler or opening configured to receive one or more of the cartridge 3120, thermal valve assembly 3160, and thermal absorber plate 3170, or portions thereof. of these.

A battery 3240 is configured to provide a power source to the heat source, CPU 3230, and any other powered components of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 3000. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein document, a 3240 battery is a rechargeable battery. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a battery 3240 is a lithium ion battery or a rechargeable lithium ion battery. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a 3240 battery is a lithium manganese oxide battery, a lithium manganese cobalt oxide battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery, a lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide battery or a lithium titanate battery.

A CPU 3230 in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, includes software that controls and monitors the function of the laser emitter 3200.

A system, in some embodiments, comprises a CPU 3230 that is configured to communicate with one or more remote processors. In these system embodiments, a CPU 3230 is configured to receive commands from a remote processor and provide performance and/or usage data to a remote processor. In embodiments where a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 comprises a drug, a system is configured for a remote processor to provide commands to the CPU 3230 that adjust the dosage of the generated vapor or aerosol, for example, by causing the CPU 3230 modify the duration for which heat is applied to the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150 or, for example, have the CPU 3230 modify the temperature of the heat that is applied to the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 3150.

Precise heating through the use of, for example, a laser emitter 3200 and a CPU 3230 provides precise temperature control of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 2150 in terms of both the amount of heat applied and the duration of heating. app. Since heating to a relatively higher temperature and/or longer duration generally generates smaller vapor or aerosol particles, and heating to a relatively lower temperature and/or shorter duration generates a larger vapor or aerosol particles, the particle size of a generated vapor or aerosol is precisely controlled by the 3200 laser emitter in conjunction with the 3230 CPU.

Figures 4A and 4B show front and rear cross-sectional views of an exemplary embodiment of a liquid reservoir. A cartridge 4120 comprises a substance reservoir 4100 containing a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 4150. A substance reservoir 4100 is configured to contain a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 4150 and to deliver the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 4150 to one or more channels within thermal valve assembly 4160. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, cartridge 4120 is pressurized relative to atmospheric pressure such that when an opening in cartridge 4120 is opened , a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 4150 advances due to a pressure difference between the interior of the cartridge 4120 and atmospheric pressure outside the cartridge 4120. In some embodiment of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the cartridge 4120 includes a 4400 elastic pressure vessel within it that is configured to maintain an e n pressurized environment within cartridge 4120 as a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 4150 advances out of cartridge 4120, the amount of substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 4150 within cartridge 4120 decreases. In some embodiments of the described systems, devices, and methods herein, cartridge 4120 has an internal pressure that is approximately equal to atmospheric pressure and includes an air-permeable membrane 4290 located within reservoir manifold 4280. In these embodiments, air-permeable membrane 4290 communicates with the 4120 cartridge and allows air to enter the 4120 cartridge, thus maintaining atmospheric pressure within the 4120 cartridge as a liquid substance advances and pushes the air out of the 4120 cartridge with it. By maintaining atmospheric pressure within the cartridge 4120 in these embodiments, the air-permeable membrane 4190 allows for the maintenance of continuous flow of a liquid substance that vaporizes or aerosolizes 4150 out of the cartridge 4120.

Figure 4A shows a port 4272 in the wall of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 4000, which is configured to allow a flow of air to enter into the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 4000 through the port 4272. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a port 4272 is positioned to be continuous with an opening in the wall of an internal housing that in some embodiments provides a passageway for airflow from outside the housing. hand. portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 4000 for entering the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 4000 and mixing it with a generated vapor or aerosol.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 5000. In some embodiments of the system, devices, and methods described herein, a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 5000 comprises a proximal end 5002, a distal end 5204, a mouthpiece 5110, a cartridge 5120, a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150, a thermal valve assembly 5160, a thermal absorber plate 5170, a reservoir gasket 5180, a reflector 5190 parabolic hub, 5200 laser emitter, 5210 laser reflector, 5220 laser housing, 5230 computer processing unit (CPU), 5240 battery, 5250 main housing, 5260 bulkhead, 5270 inner housing, substance 5300 and a port 5272.

A mouthpiece 5110, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, includes a housing, an opening (not shown), and a hollow interior. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a mouthpiece 5110 is configured to provide or form one or more passageways through which generated vapor or aerosol travels into the mouth and airways of a patient. Username. In some embodiments, as will be explained, a passageway within a nozzle 5110 is configured to remove large contaminant particles from a vapor or aerosol stream by providing impingement walls that force the vapor or aerosol stream into a path that allows the travel of small particles, while preventing large particles from traveling past the point of impact with the impact wall. A 5110 nozzle, in some embodiments of the described systems, devices, and methods here, it contains or surrounds a 5120 cartridge.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cartridge 5120 omits the plunger spring 5130 and plunger 5140 (or ejector) and comprises a reservoir of a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150. In some of In the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cartridge 5120 containing a reservoir of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 is pressurized relative to atmospheric pressure. In some of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cartridge 5120 containing a reservoir of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 is maintained at a pressure essentially equal to atmospheric pressure by an air-permeable membrane that provides a flow of air into cartridge 5120 when a user applies a suction force to cartridge 5120 drawing a flow of air, vapor, and/or aerosol from nozzle 5110.

As shown in Figure 5, a cartridge 5120 comprises a substance reservoir 5300 containing a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150. A substance reservoir 5300 is configured to contain a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 and to deliver the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 to one or more channels within thermal valve assembly 5160. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, cartridge 5120 is pressurized relative to atmospheric pressure such that when an opening in cartridge 5120 is opened, a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 advances due to a pressure difference between the interior of cartridge 5120 and atmospheric pressure outside cartridge 5120. In some embodiments of the described systems, devices, and methods herein, cartridge 5120 includes a resilient pressure vessel 5500 within it that is á configured to maintain a pressurized environment within the 5120 cartridge as a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 moves out of the 5120 cartridge, decreasing the amount of substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 within the 5120 cartridge.

A port 5272 in the wall of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 5000, which is configured to allow a flow of air to enter into the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 5000 through the port 5272. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a port 5272 is positioned to be continuous with an opening in the wall of an inner casing 5270 which, in some embodiments, provides a passageway for airflow from outside the device portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generator 5000 to enter the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generator device 5000 and mix it with a generated vapor or aerosol.

A thermal valve assembly 5160, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, comprises one or more channels (not shown) and a thermal valve (not shown). One or more channels, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, are continuous with an opening in cartridge 5120 such that one or more channels are positioned to receive a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 from the cartridge 5120. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, one or more channels are configured so as to advance a liquid substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 along its length through the action capillary. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, one or more of the channels flares over a portion of their length to form a reservoir of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150. In some embodiments, a portion flanged with one or more channels is supported by a 5170 thermal absorber plate.

A thermal valve is a valve positioned within the 5160 thermal valve assembly such that when heated, the thermal valve opens an opening in the 5120 cartridge that opens into one or more channels. The thermal valve is configured to change from a first conformation to a second conformation when the thermal valve is heated. Wherein, in the first embodiment of the thermal valve, a component of the thermal valve, such as a rod, is positioned to block the opening of the cartridge 5120, and in the second embodiment of the thermal valve, the rod is away from the opening, thus opening it up and allowing the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 to advance into one or more channels.

A change from a first conformation of the thermal valve to a second conformation of the thermal valve is achieved by incorporating in the thermal valve two materials, each of which has a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the other. A thermal valve comprises a bimetallic portion that is composed of two different metals, each with a different thermal coefficient of thermal expansion than the other. The first metal having a first thermal coefficient of thermal expansion comprises a first layer, and the second metal having a second thermal coefficient of thermal expansion comprises a second layer. The second layer having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion is placed facing a heat source so that it is closer to the heat source than the layer having the relatively lower coefficient of thermal expansion. Therefore, when the second layer with the higher coefficient of thermal expansion is heated, it tends to expand outward and away from the first layer with the lower coefficient of thermal expansion, so that the entire layered portion tends to expand. to arc towards the heat source, thus changing the conformation of the thermal valve. In these embodiments, when the second layer of the thermal valve or a portion of the thermal valve is heated, the heated segment arcs toward the heat source and changes the conformation of the thermal valve. In these embodiments, the thermal valve moves within of the thermal valve assembly when the thermal valve changes shape in response to heating and thereby moves the component of the thermal valve that blocks the opening of the cartridge away from the opening, thus opening the opening. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a first layer of a portion of the thermal valve that faces a heat source comprises copper, and a second layer of a portion of the thermal valve comprising iron is placed with its back to the heat source. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the surface of the bimetallic portion is coated with an IR absorbing coating. The IR absorbing coating, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, is black in color and behaves as close as possible to an ideal blackbody. In these embodiments, photons of incident light from an IR heat source are absorbed by the cladding atoms, causing the cladding atoms to vibrate and heat up. Acting as a heat conducting barrier, the energy absorbed by the coating will be transferred to the surface of the bilayer portion, causing the bilayer portion of the thermal valve to change shape as described above.

A thermal absorber plate 5170 is positioned to receive a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 from one or more channels within thermal valve assembly 5160. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, one or more channels within thermal valve assembly 5160 enlarge in diameter to form a reservoir immediately prior to merging with thermal absorber plate 5170. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, thermal absorber plate 5170 comprises a porous material that is positioned to receive the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 within its pores. For example, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 comprises a nicotine-containing liquid that advances from the cartridge 5120 into one or more channels within the thermal valve assembly. 5160 as described, advanced through one or more channels by capillary action, and received in the pores of the 5170 thermal absorber plate. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 passes through the pores of the thermal absorption plate 5170 to reach a surface of the thermal absorption plate 5170 which is placed in front of a heat source. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the surface of thermal absorber plate 5170 that faces the heat source comprises areas that are recessed so that when the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 reaches surface, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 enters and is contained in one or more of the recessed areas. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, similar to the thermal valve of thermal valve assembly 5160, the surface of thermal absorbing plate 5170 is coated with an IR absorbing coating to facilitate heating with an IR heat source. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a porous material that is suitable for use in thermal absorber plate 5170 is titanium metal. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a porous material that is suitable for use in thermal absorber plate 5170 is a carbon-based material, such as carbon fiber. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a porous material that is suitable for use in thermal absorber plate 5170 is a ceramic. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a ceramic is composed of porous zirconia.

A reservoir gasket 5180 is positioned so that a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 does not leak around the thermal absorber plate 5170, but is instead directed to travel from the reservoir to the end of one or more channels and into the pores. of the porous material of the thermal absorption plate 5170. When heat is applied to the thermal absorption plate 5170 containing a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150, the entire thermal absorption plate 5170 is heated, thereby heating the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 that is within it (ie, within its pores and within the one or more voids on its surface). In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 placed on the surface of the thermal absorber plate 5170 heats faster than the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 that is within the pores of the thermal absorption plate 5170, and as such, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 on the surface of the thermal absorption plate 5170 vaporizes or aerosolizes faster than the substance within the pores of the thermal absorption plate. thermal absorber 5170. In general, because, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the thermal absorber plate 5170 is configured to conduct heat throughout a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 that is in contact with a surface of the 5170 thermal absorber plate or within any of its pores will vaporize or It will form an aerosol when heated to the proper temperature by the 5170 thermal absorber plate.

Thermal valve assembly 5160 and thermal absorber plate 5170 are positioned in proximity to each other within portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 5000 and are positioned to be optimally heated by a heat source. Typically, in most embodiments, the thermal valve assembly 5160 and thermal absorber plate 5170 are within the cartridge-containing portion of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 5000.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a module The main housing is contained within a main housing 5250 of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 5000 and comprises a concentrating parabolic reflector 5190, a laser emitter 5200, a laser reflector 5210, a laser housing 5220, a computer processing unit (CPU) 5230, a 5240 battery, a 5260 bulkhead, and a 5270 inner casing.

A heat source provides heat to at least one thermal valve and thermal absorber plate 5170 of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 5000. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a heat source comprises a laser emitter 5200. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a heat source comprises an IR laser emitter. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the heat source comprises an LED light source. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the heat source comprises a convective or microwave heating assembly.

A laser emitter 5200 in some embodiments is contained within a laser housing 5220 and includes an assembly including reflectors and lenses that perform one or more of the functions of focusing, directing, and collimating light energy emitted from the emitter. In some embodiments, a laser reflector 5210 is positioned near the laser emitter 5200 and is configured to direct the emitted laser toward the thermal valve assembly 5160 and thermal absorber plate 5170. In some embodiments of the systems, devices and methods described herein, a parabolic concentrating reflector 5190 is positioned between a laser emitter 5200 and a thermal absorber plate 5270 and configured to focus light energy emitted from the laser emitter 5200. In some embodiments of the systems, devices and methods described herein, a cylindrical Fresnel lens and a concave lens (not shown) are placed between the laser emitter 5200 and the thermal valve assembly 5160 and the thermal absorber plate 5170. The concave lens is configured to diverge the light energy emitted by the laser emitter 5200 and the cylindrical Fresnel lens which is placed closer to the two in the assembly The 5160 thermal valve plate and 5170 thermal absorber plate is configured to collimate the light energy emitted by the 5200 laser emitter. The Fresnel lens is ideal for this system because it requires less material to operate compared to other types of lenses. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, there will also be a gold elliptical reflector (not shown) that encloses the IR absorbing portion of the target and is configured to redirect any lost emitted energy.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the wavelength of an energy that is emitted from a heat source, such as light energy emitted from a laser emitter 5200, is matched to an absorbance of a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150. In some embodiments, the wavelength of an emitted energy can be adjusted by using, for example, a CPU 5230 to modify the wavelength of a laser emitter 5200. The wavelengths Optimal absorbance curves of a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 are determined, for example, by a standard absorbance curve.

In some of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 5000 comprises a plurality of emitters, each configured to emit energy having a different wavelength. For example, in one embodiment where a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 comprises a mixture of a drug and an excipient and each has a different optimal absorbance wavelength, a first emitter is configured or adjusted to emit energy at a wavelength that is optimally absorbed by the drug and a second emitter is set or adjusted to emit energy at a wavelength that is optimally absorbed by the excipient.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 5000 further includes an internal casing 5270 that houses a CPU 5230, a battery 5240, and at least a portion of the other components. of the main module. In some embodiments, a partition 5260 is configured to engage the main module with cartridge 5120, thermal valve assembly 5160, and thermal absorber plate 5170. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods, internal housing 5270 comprises a opening that is positioned to be continuous with a port in the housing of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 5000. In these embodiments, a flow of air from outside the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 5000 may enter the generating device portable inhalable aerosol or vapor 5000 through a port in the housing of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 5000 and then travel through an opening in the wall of the inner housing 5270 to reach the interior of the vapor generating device or portable inhalable aerosol 5000 and mix with a vapor or aerosol generated by the inhalable generating device. and portable inhalable aerosol or vapor 5000. In these embodiments, a partition 5260 is configured to engage with the inner housing 5270 such that the opening in the wall of the inner housing 5270 is not obstructed. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a septum 5260 comprises a coupler or opening configured to receive one or more of the cartridge 5120, thermal valve assembly 5160, and thermal absorber plate 5170, or portions thereof. of these.

A battery 5240 is configured to provide a power source to the heat source, CPU 5230, and any other powered components of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 5000. In In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a 5240 battery is a rechargeable battery. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a 5240 battery is a lithium ion battery or a rechargeable lithium ion battery. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a 5240 battery is a lithium manganese oxide battery, a lithium manganese cobalt oxide battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery, a lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide battery or a lithium titanate battery.

A CPU 5230 in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, includes software that controls and monitors the function of the laser emitter 5200.

A system, in some embodiments, comprises a CPU 5230 that is configured to communicate with one or more remote processors. In these system embodiments, a CPU 5230 is configured to receive commands from a remote processor and provide performance and/or usage data to a remote processor. In embodiments where a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 comprises a drug, a system is configured for a remote processor to provide commands to the CPU 5230 that adjust the dosage of the generated vapor or aerosol, for example, by causing the CPU 5230 modify the duration for which heat is applied to the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 or, for example, have the CPU 5230 modify the temperature of the heat that is applied to the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150.

Precise heating using, for example, a laser emitter 5200 and a CPU 5230 provides precise temperature control of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 5150 in terms of both the amount of heat applied and the duration over which applies. Since heating to a relatively higher temperature and/or longer duration generally generates smaller vapor or aerosol particles, and heating to a relatively lower temperature and/or shorter duration generates a larger vapor or aerosol particles, the particle size of a generated vapor or aerosol is precisely controlled by the 5200 laser emitter in conjunction with the 5230 CPU.

Embodiments of cartridge containing plunger

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 6000. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generator 6000 comprises proximal end 6002, mouthpiece 6110, cartridge 6120, plunger spring 6130, plunger 6140 (or ejector), substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150, thermal valve assembly 6120, thermal absorber plate 6170 , 6180 Reservoir Gasket, 6190 Parabolic Concentrator Reflector, 6200 Laser Emitter, 6210 Laser Reflector, 6220 Laser Housing, 6230 Computer Processing Unit (CPU), 6240 Battery, 6250 Main Housing, 6260 Bulkhead and a 6270 inner shell.

A mouthpiece 6110, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, includes a housing, an opening (not shown), and a hollow interior. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a mouthpiece 6110 is configured to provide or form one or more passageways through which generated vapor or aerosol travels into the mouth and airways of a patient. Username. In some embodiments, as will be explained, a passageway within a nozzle 6110 is configured to remove large contaminant particles from a vapor or aerosol stream by providing impingement walls that force the vapor or aerosol stream into a path that allows the travel of vapor or aerosol. small particles, while preventing large particles from traveling past the point of impact with the impact wall. A mouthpiece 6110, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, contains or surrounds a cartridge 6120.

A cartridge 6120 is configured to contain a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cartridge 6120 is further configured to actively deliver the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 to one or more channels within thermal valve assembly 6120. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the cartridge 6120 further contains a plunger 6140, and in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described in As used herein, a 6120 cartridge contains a 6130 plunger spring. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a 6140 plunger is positioned within a 6120 cartridge such that the 6140 plunger is positioned near the 6120 cartridge. user in relation to the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 when the nozzle 6110 of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 6000 is oriented toward the user's mouth (ie, the plunger is closer to the proximal end of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 6000 than the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized). In these embodiments, plunger 6140 is so positioned as to push substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 out of cartridge 6120 distally relative to the position of a user. It should be understood, however, that multiple configurations and orientations of components within the 6120 cartridge are also suitable for use with the systems, devices, and methods described herein. For example, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, plunger 6140 is positioned distally of a user relative to the position of a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 when mouthpiece 6110 is oriented toward the user. user's mouth. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, for example, cartridge 6120 is not positioned within mouthpiece 6110, but rather is in the main module portion of portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 6000. , for instance.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a plunger 6140, within a cartridge 6120, is positioned so that the plunger 6140 abuts the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150, and is further configured so that, as substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 advances out of cartridge 6120, plunger 6140 advances in a distal direction relative to a user when mouthpiece 6110 of portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 6000 is oriented toward the mouth of the user. Username. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the plunger 6140 is advanced within the cartridge 6120 by a plunger spring 6130. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a plunger spring Plunger 6130 is in operative communication with plunger 6140 such that plunger spring 6130 transmits a force to plunger 6140, causing plunger 6140 to advance and push the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 into one or more channels within the plunger. 6160 thermal valve assembly.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the plunger spring 6130 is omitted, and one or more of the outer surfaces of the plunger 6140 and the inner surface of the cartridge 6120 comprise a material that creates seamless motion. friction of plunger 6140 within cartridge 6120. For example, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, plunger 6140 has an outer surface of glass and cartridge 6120 has an inner surface of glass. In some of these embodiments, which have two glass surfaces, a thin layer of liquid is placed between the glass surface of plunger 6140 and the inner glass surface of cartridge 6120 so that plunger 6140 moves without friction against the inner surface. of the 6120 cartridge. In some of these embodiments, which have two glass surfaces, the 6120 cartridge does not include a plunger spring 6130. In some of these embodiments, which have two glass surfaces, the thin layer of fluid between the plunger 6140 and cartridge 6120 is the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150. In some of these embodiments of cartridge 6120, a plunger 6140 comprises a feeder plug comprising a piston-shaped body which in some embodiments has a hollow interior filled with air.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a plunger 6140 advances against a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 when a user engages the mouthpiece 6110 and draws out the vapor, creating a suction force that is transmitted to the plunger 6140 through an opening in the cartridge 6120, which advances the plunger 6140 against the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 and thereby pushes the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 out of the cartridge 6120 through from an opening (not shown) in the 6120 cartridge and into one or more channels (not shown) within a 6160 thermal valve assembly.

A thermal valve assembly 6120, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, comprises one or more channels (not shown) and a thermal valve (not shown). One or more channels, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, are continuous with an opening in the cartridge 6120 such that one or more channels are positioned to receive a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 from the 6120 cartridge. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, one or more channels are configured such that they advance a liquid substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 along its length through the action capillary. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, one or more of the channels flares over a portion of their length to form a reservoir of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150. In some embodiments, a portion flanged with one or more channels is supported by a 6170 thermal absorber plate.

A thermal valve is a valve positioned within the 6160 thermal valve assembly such that when heated, the thermal valve opens an opening in the 6120 cartridge that opens into one or more channels. The thermal valve is configured to change from a first conformation to a second conformation when the thermal valve is heated. Wherein, in the first embodiment of the thermal valve, a component of the thermal valve, such as a rod, is positioned to block the opening of the 6120 cartridge, and in the second embodiment of the thermal valve, the rod 7168 moves away from the opening, thus opening it up and allowing the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 to advance into one or more channels.

A change from a first conformation of the thermal valve to a second conformation of the thermal valve is achieved by incorporating in the thermal valve two materials, each of which has a different coefficient of thermal expansion than the other. A thermal valve comprises a bimetallic portion that is composed of two different metals, each with a different thermal coefficient of thermal expansion than the other. The first metal having a first thermal coefficient of thermal expansion comprises a first layer and the second metal having a second thermal coefficient of thermal expansion comprises a second layer. The second layer having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion is placed facing a heat source so that it is closer to the heat source than the layer having the relatively lower coefficient of thermal expansion. Therefore, when the second layer is heated it has the coefficient of expansion highest thermal expansion, tends to expand outward and away from the first layer which has the lowest coefficient of thermal expansion, so that the entire layered portion tends to arc toward the heat source, thus changing the conformation of the thermal valve. In these embodiments, when the second layer of the thermal valve or a portion of the thermal valve is heated, the heated segment arcs toward the heat source and changes the conformation of the thermal valve. In these embodiments, the thermal valve moves within the thermal valve assembly as the thermal valve changes shape in response to heating, and thereby moves the component of the thermal valve that blocks the opening of the cartridge away from the opening, thus opening the opening. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a first layer of a portion of the thermal valve that faces a heat source comprises copper, and a second layer of a portion of the thermal valve comprising iron is placed with its back to the heat source. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the surface of the bimetallic portion is coated with an IR absorbing coating. The IR absorbing coating, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, is black in color and behaves as close as possible to an ideal blackbody. In these embodiments, photons of incident light from an IR heat source are absorbed by the cladding atoms, causing the cladding atoms to vibrate and heat up. Acting as a heat conducting barrier, the energy absorbed by the coating will be transferred to the surface of the bilayer portion, causing the bilayer portion of the thermal valve to change shape as described above.

A thermal absorber plate 6170 is positioned to receive a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 from one or more channels within thermal valve assembly 6160. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, one or more channels within thermal valve assembly 6160 enlarge in diameter to form a reservoir immediately prior to merging with thermal absorber plate 6170. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, thermal absorber plate 6170 comprises a porous material that is positioned to receive the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 within its pores. For example, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 comprises a nicotine-containing liquid that advances from the cartridge 6120 into one or more channels within the thermal valve assembly. 6120 as described, advanced through one or more channels by capillary action, and received in the pores of the 6170 thermal absorber plate. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 passes through the pores of the thermal absorber plate 6170 to reach a surface of the thermal absorber plate 6170 which is placed in front of a heat source. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the surface of thermal absorber plate 6170 that faces the heat source comprises areas that are recessed so that when the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 reaches surface, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 enters and is contained in one or more of the recessed areas. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, similar to the thermal valve of thermal valve assembly 6160, the surface of thermal absorbing plate 6170 is coated with an IR absorbing coating to facilitate heating with an IR heat source. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a porous material that is suitable for use in the 6170 thermal absorber plate is titanium metal. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a porous material that is suitable for use in thermal absorber plate 6170 is a carbon-based material, such as carbon fiber. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a porous material that is suitable for use in thermal absorber plate 6170 is a ceramic. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a ceramic is composed of porous zirconia.

A reservoir gasket 6180 is positioned so that a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 does not leak around the thermal absorber plate 6170, but is instead directed to travel from the reservoir to the end of one or more channels and into the pores. of the porous material of the heat absorbing plate 6170. When heat is applied to the thermal absorber plate 6170 containing a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150, the entire thermal absorber plate 6170 is heated, thereby heating the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 that is within it (ie, within its pores and within the one or more voids on its surface). In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 placed on the surface of the thermal absorber plate 6170 heats faster than the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 that is inside the pores of the thermal absorption plate 6170, and as such, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 on the surface of the thermal absorption plate 6170 vaporizes or aerosolizes faster than the substance within the pores of the thermal absorption plate. thermal absorber 6170. In general, because, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the thermal absorber plate 6170 is configured to conduct heat throughout a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 that is in contact with a surface of the 6170 thermal absorber plate or within any of its pores will vaporize or It will form an aerosol when heated to the proper temperature by the 6170 thermal absorber plate.

The 6120 thermal valve assembly and the 6170 thermal absorber plate are placed in proximity to each other inside of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 6000 and are positioned to be optimally heated by a heat source. Typically, in most embodiments, the thermal valve assembly 6120 and thermal absorber plate 6170 are contained within the cartridge 6120 that contains the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device portion 6000.

Figure 6 shows an exploded view of an example interface of a 6120 thermal valve assembly, 6170 thermal absorber plate, and a 6190 parabolic concentrating reflector. As shown, a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 travels within a channel of the thermal valve assembly 6160 to a thermal absorber plate 6170 in which the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 is deposited on a surface of the thermal absorber plate 6170, which is positioned near a parabolic concentrating reflector 6190 that is configured to collimate the energy emitted from the laser emitter 6200 over the entire surface of the thermal absorption plate 6170.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a main module is contained within a main housing 6250 of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 6000 and comprises a parabolic concentrating reflector 6190, a laser emitter 6200, a 6210 laser reflector, a 6220 laser housing, a 6230 computer processing unit (CPU), a 6240 battery, a 6260 bulkhead, and a 6270 internal housing.

A heat source provides heat to at least one thermal valve and thermal absorber plate 6170 of portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 6000. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a heat source comprises a laser emitter 6200. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a heat source comprises an IR laser emitter. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the heat source comprises an LED light source. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the heat source comprises a convective or microwave heating assembly.

A laser emitter 6200 in some embodiments is within a laser housing 6220 and includes an assembly including reflectors and lenses that perform one or more of the functions of focusing, directing, and collimating light energy emitted from the emitter. laser 6200. In some embodiments, a laser reflector 6210 is positioned near laser emitter 6200 and is configured to direct the emitted laser toward thermal valve assembly 6120 and thermal absorber plate 6170. In some embodiments of systems, devices, and methods described herein, a parabolic concentrating reflector 6190 is positioned between a laser emitter 6200 and a thermal absorber plate 6170 and configured to focus light energy emitted from the laser emitter 6200. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cylindrical Fresnel lens and a concave lens (not shown) are placed between the emitter 6200 laser and 6120 thermal valve assembly and 6170 thermal absorber plate. The concave lens is configured to diverge the light energy emitted by the 6200 laser emitter and the cylindrical Fresnel lens which is placed closer to the two in the 6200 laser assembly. 6120 thermal valve and 6170 thermal absorber plate is configured to collimate the light energy emitted by the 6200 laser emitter. The Fresnel lens is ideal for this system because it requires less material to operate compared to other types of lenses. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, there will also be a gold elliptical reflector (not shown) that encloses the IR absorbing portion of the target and is configured to redirect any lost emitted energy.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, the wavelength of an energy that is emitted from a heat source, such as light energy emitted from a laser emitter 6200, is matched to an absorbance of a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150. In some embodiments, the wavelength of an emitted energy can be adjusted by using, for example, a CPU 6230 to modify the wavelength of a laser emitter 6200. The wavelengths Optimum absorbance values of a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 are determined, for example, by a standard absorbance curve.

In some of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 6000 comprises a plurality of emitters, each configured to emit energy having a different wavelength. For example, in one embodiment where a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 comprises a mixture of a drug and an excipient and each has a different optimal absorbance wavelength, a first emitter is configured or adjusted to emit energy at a wavelength that is optimally absorbed by the drug, and a second emitter is set or adjusted to emit energy at a wavelength that is optimally absorbed by the excipient.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 6000 further includes an internal casing 6270 that houses a CPU 6230, a battery 6240, and at least a portion of the other components. . of the main module. In some embodiments, a partition 6260 is configured to engage the main module with cartridge 6120, thermal valve assembly 6160, and thermal absorber plate 6170. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods, internal housing 6270 comprises a opening that is positioned to be continuous with a port into the housing of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 6000. In these embodiments, an air flow from outside the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 6000 may enter the portable inhalable aerosol or aerosol generating device 6000 through a port in the casing of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 6000 and then travel through an opening in the wall of the inner casing 6270 to reach the interior of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 6000 and mix with a vapor or aerosol generated by the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 6000. In these embodiments, a partition 6260 is configured to engage with the inner housing 6270 such that the opening in the wall of the inner housing 6270 is not obstructed. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a septum 6260 comprises a coupler or opening configured to receive one or more of the cartridge 6120, thermal valve assembly 6120, and thermal absorber plate 6170, or portions thereof. of these.

A battery 6240 is configured to provide a power source to the heat source, the CPU 6230, and any other powered components of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 6000 . In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a 6240 battery is a rechargeable battery. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a 6240 battery is a lithium ion battery or a rechargeable lithium ion battery. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a 6240 battery is a lithium manganese oxide battery, a lithium manganese cobalt oxide battery, a lithium iron phosphate battery, a lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide battery or a lithium titanate battery.

A CPU 6230 in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, includes software that controls and monitors the function of the laser emitter 6200.

A system, in some embodiments, comprises a CPU 6230 that is configured to communicate with one or more remote processors. In these system embodiments, a CPU 6230 is configured to receive commands from a remote processor and provide performance and/or usage data to a remote processor. In embodiments where a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 comprises a drug, a system is configured for a remote processor to provide commands to the CPU 6230 that adjust the dosage of the generated vapor or aerosol, for example, by causing the CPU 6230 modify the duration for which heat is applied to the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 or, for example, have the CPU 6230 modify the temperature of the heat that is applied to the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150.

Precise heating using, for example, a laser emitter 6200 and a CPU 6230 provides precise control of the temperature of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 6150 in terms of both the amount of heat applied and the duration during heating. which one applies. Since heating to a relatively higher temperature and/or longer duration generally generates smaller vapor or aerosol particles, and heating to a relatively lower temperature and/or shorter duration generates a larger vapor or aerosol particles, the particle size of a generated vapor or aerosol is precisely controlled by the 6200 laser emitter in conjunction with the 6230 CPU.

Figure 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 7000 comprising a feeder plug 7140. In some of these cartridge embodiments 7120, a plunger (or ejector) comprises a feeder plug 7140 comprising a body in piston-shaped which in some embodiments has a hollow interior filled with air.

A cartridge 7120 is configured to contain a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 7150 and to deliver the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 7150 to one or more channels within the thermal valve assembly 7160. In some embodiments of the described systems, devices, and methods herein, cartridge 7120 further contains a feeder plug 7140, and in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cartridge 7120 contains a feeder plug spring 7130. In some embodiments of the systems, In the devices and methods described herein, a feeder cap 7140 is positioned within a cartridge 7120 such that the feeder cap 7140 is proximate to the user relative to the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 7150 when the nozzle 7110 of the delivery device 7000 portable inhalable vapor or aerosol is directed toward the user's mouth. In these embodiments, feeder plug 7140 is so positioned to push substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 7150 out of cartridge 7120 distally relative to a user's position. It should be understood, however, that multiple configurations and orientations of components within the 7120 cartridge are also suitable for use with the systems, devices, and methods described herein. For example, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, feeder plug 7140 is positioned distal to a user relative to the position of a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 7150 when mouthpiece 7110 is closed. facing the user's mouth. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, for example, cartridge 7120 is not positioned within mouthpiece 7110.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a feeder plug 7140, within a cartridge 7120, is positioned so that the feeder plug 7140 abuts the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 7150, and is further configured so that when the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 7150 is advanced out of the cartridge 7120, the feed plug 7140 is advanced in a distal direction relative to a user when the nozzle 7110 of the device portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generator 7000 is oriented toward the user's mouth. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, feeder plug 7140 is advanced within cartridge 7120 by feeder plug spring 7130. In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a The shuttle shutter spring 7130 is in operative communication with the shuttle shutter 7140 such that the shuttle shutter spring 7130 transmits a force to the feed plug 7140, which causes the feed plug 7140 to advance and push the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 7150 into one or more channels within the 7160 thermal valve assembly.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, one or more of the outer surface of feeder plug 7140 and the inner surface of cartridge 7120 comprise a material that creates frictionless movement of feeder plug 7140 within the cartridge. . 7120. For example, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, feeder plug 7140 has an outer surface made of glass and cartridge 7120 has an inner surface made of glass. In some of these embodiments, which have two glass surfaces, a thin layer of liquid 7402 and 7404 is between the glass surface of feeder plug 7140 and the inner glass surface of cartridge 7120, so that feeder plug 7140 moves without friction against the interior glass surface of cartridge 7120. In some of these embodiments, which have two glass surfaces, cartridge 7120 does not include a shuttle shutter spring 7130. In some of these embodiments, which have two glass surfaces, glass, the thin layer of fluid between feeder plug 7140 and cartridge 7120 is the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 7150.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a feeder plug 7140 is advanced against a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 7150 when a user engages nozzle 7110 and draws out the vapor creating a suction force that advances feeder plug 7140 against the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 7150 and thereby pushes the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 7150 out of cartridge 7120, through an opening 7350 in cartridge 7120 and into one or more channels (not shown) inside a 7160 Thermal Valve Assembly.

In some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a cartridge 7120 comprises a bag (not shown) or balloon that advances the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 7150 out of one or more channels rather than a feeder plug 7140. In these embodiments, the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 7150 is placed within the bag or balloon such that when the bag or balloon is compressed or advanced against the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized 7150, the substance to be being vaporized or aerosolized 7150 is advanced through opening 7350 and out of cartridge 7120 and into one or more channels (not shown) within a thermal valve assembly 7160.

Figure 8 shows an illustration of an exemplary path of a vapor or aerosol stream 8006a-80006c through a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 8000. A path of a generated vapor or aerosol through the vapor generating device or portable inhalable aerosol 8000 initially begins with a flow of air entering the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 8000 through a side port (not shown) of the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 8000. The flow of air through through a portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 8000, in some embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, is initiated by a user who draws air through the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 8000 creating a suction force through the 8002 nozzle using your mouth (i.e. sucking air through the 8002 nozzle). The air stream in the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 8000 mixes with a vapor or aerosol generated within the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 8000 to become a mixed stream 8006a. In some embodiments, a mixed stream 8006a contains particles of the substance to be vaporized and aerosolized that have a relatively homogeneous composition. In some embodiments, a mixed stream 8006a contains particles of the substance to be vaporized and aerosolized that are relatively heterogeneous in composition. As the mixed stream 8006a travels through the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 8000, the mixed stream 8006a encounters the nozzle 8002 and, in particular, collides with the impact wall 8004 of the nozzle 8002. The wall impingement 8004 is positioned so that it is essentially perpendicular to the flow direction of mixed flow 8006a. At the point of impact of the mixed flow 8006a with the impact wall, a portion of the mixed flow 8006b navigates the essentially 90-degree turn that the flow must make due to the impact wall 8004. In general, a portion of the mixed flow 8006a comprising larger particles will not travel the 90 degree turn in the impact wall 8004 and will settle there instead of continuing with the mixed flow portion 8006b towards the user's mouth. As the flow continues toward the user's mouth, it navigates additional turns within the nozzle 8002, and likewise relatively larger particles are dislodged from the portion of the mixed flow 8006b along the way, as the particles larger ones cannot navigate the extra turns. As a result, an inhaled stream 8006c is generated in which the vapor or aerosol within the stream has become a much more homogeneous mixture in terms of particle size along the way with the shedding of relatively larger particles. Since, in general, the larger particles tend to be contaminants within the vapor or aerosol stream, the passage of vapor and aerosol from the 8006a to the 8006c through the portable inhalable aerosol or vapor generating device 8000 tends to purify the aerosol or vapor of contaminants before it reaches the mouth and respiratory tract of a user.

combined heating

In accordance with the present invention, a heat source as described herein is combined with a traditional heat source to increase the efficiency, with respect to energy use, of the heat source used (for example, an emitter). To be). For example, in embodiments of the systems, devices, and methods described herein, a laser emitter (or other emitter of thermal energy), as described above, provides heat to a thermal absorber plate, as described above, in combination with a traditional Joule heating system (or other resistive heating system). In these embodiments, a traditional resistive heating element is placed near the thermal absorber plate and heats the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized that is placed inside and/or on the surface of the thermal absorber plate up to a first temperature, in said point activates the laser emitter described herein (or other thermal energy emitter) so that the laser emitter provides thermal energy to the thermal absorption plate (or surface of the thermal absorption plate) and continues to heat the substance for be vaporized or aerosolized at a threshold temperature, at which vapor or aerosol with the desired particle size is generated. In this way, a traditional heat source, which uses relatively low power to heat, is used to raise the temperature of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized to a relatively large degree, while the laser emitter, which uses relatively low power, high for heating, applies heat to raise the temperature of the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized to a relatively small degree. For example, in one embodiment, a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized is heated to a temperature of 240 degrees Celsius by a spiral resistive heater placed near the thermal absorption plate described herein, and then a laser emitter heats the substance. substance to be vaporized or aerosolized up to a target threshold temperature of 260 degrees centigrade. Thus, in these embodiments, a laser emitter is configured to provide relatively fine temperature control over a range of temperatures in which a vapor or aerosol is generated and over which the particle size of the vapor or aerosol ( that is, based on the amount by which the substance is heated to be vaporized or aerosolized). Fine temperature control provided by a laser emitter in these embodiments requires relatively less power output from the power source (eg, battery) compared to embodiments that do not include combined heating from the resistive heating source. traditional. In some embodiments, a traditional heating element in the form of a resistive heater comprises one or more metal coils that are incorporated into the body of a thermal absorber plate described herein. In some embodiments, a traditional heating element in the form of a resistive heater comprises one or more metal coils that are wrapped around the body of a thermal absorber plate described herein. In some embodiments, a traditional heating element in the form of a resistive heater comprises a mesh that is incorporated into the body of a thermal absorber plate described herein. In some embodiments, a traditional heating element in the form of a resistive heater comprises a mesh that is wrapped around the body of a thermal absorber plate described herein. The traditional heating element is positioned so as not to get in the way of energy emitted by the power source in embodiments where the power source emits a type of energy that can be reflected, such as light energy.

Figures 9A and 9B illustrate exemplary embodiments of a 9800 thermal absorber plate that incorporates a traditional 9806 resistive heating element within its structure. Figure 9A provides an exploded view of thermal absorber plate 9800 comprising a thermal absorber plate portion 9802a, a resistive heating element 9804, and a thermal absorber plate portion 9802b. The components of heat absorber plate 9800 are arranged so that heating element 9804 is sandwiched between the two heater plate portions 9802a and 9802b. As shown, the 9804 resistive heating element comprises a metal mesh in some embodiments, but in other embodiments it may comprise one or more coils. Thermal absorber plate portions 9802a and 9802b typically comprise the same material and are as described above, but in alternate embodiments may comprise materials that differ from one another. Thermal absorber plate portions 9802a and 9802b are positioned within the inhalable vapor generating device such that thermal absorber plate portion 9802a is positioned closer to the energy emission source (eg, laser emitter) than the thermal absorption plate portion 9802b (that is, the surface of the thermal absorption plate 9802a faces the laser emitter), so that the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized enters the pores of the thermal absorption plate portion 9802b and advances in the pores toward the surface of the heat absorbing plate portion 9802a facing the energy emitting source.

In some embodiments, as shown, resistive heating element 9804 is relatively forward-loaded within thermal absorber plate 9800 by having a thermal absorber plate portion 9802a with a thicker width than thermal absorber plate portion 9802b. . For example, in some embodiments, the width of the thermal absorber plate portion 9802b is nine times the width of the thermal absorber plate portion 9802a. A power source 9806 is coupled with resistive heating element 9804 and configured to provide a current to resistive heating element 9804 to cause resistive heating element 9804 to heat the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized on the surface of the heating plate. thermal absorption 9800 and/or within the pores of thermal absorption plate 9800. A resistive heating element 9804 is angled toward portion 9802a in these embodiments, such that the resistive heating element 9804 heats a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized to a greater extent when the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized is placed on or towards the surface of portion 9802a.

Figure 9B illustrates one embodiment of the thermal absorber plate 9800 with the resistive heating element 9804 integrated within it as a single integrated unit. Thermal absorber portion 9802 comprises any of the materials suitable for a thermal absorber 9800 described hereinabove, including, but not limited to, titanium, ceramic, and carbon. A power source 9806 is coupled with resistive heating element 9804 and configured to provide a current to resistive heating element 9804 to cause resistive heating element 9804 to heat the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized on the surface of the heating plate. 9800 thermal absorber and/or within the pores of the 9800 thermal absorber plate. As shown, the 9804 resistive heating element is angled toward the surface of the 9800 thermal absorber plate that faces the energy emitter, so that the resistive heating element 9804 heats a substance to be vaporized or aerosolized to a greater extent when the substance to be vaporized or aerosolized is placed on or toward the surface of the thermal absorption plate 9800 that faces the energy emitter.

The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form described, and other modifications and variations may be possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described to better explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and thereby enable others skilled in the art to better use the invention in various embodiments and various modifications to suit the particular use contemplated. The scope of the invention is defined by the following appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. A portable inhalable vapor production device (2000), comprising: a cartridge (2120) having an opening and containing a liquid (2150); a channel outside the cartridge (2120) that is continuous with the opening and positioned to receive liquid (2150) from the cartridge (2120); Y a heat source (2200), being the portable steam production device (2000) characterized by : a thermal valve (2160) that changes shape when heated and includes a first metal layer and a second metal layer, the second metal layer facing the heat source (2200) and having a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than the first metallic layer, the thermal valve (2160) having a first confirmation when not heated that seals the opening and a second conformation when heated that opens the opening to allow liquid (2150) to flow from the cartridge (2120) towards the channel; a thermal absorber plate (2170, 9800) having a plurality of pores and in fluid communication with the channel, the thermal absorber plate (2170, 9800) configured to receive liquid (2150) from the channel within the plurality of pores and includes: at least one absorbent plate portion (9802a, 9802b); Y a resistive heating element (9804) in the vicinity of at least one absorbent plate portion (9802a, 9802b) for heating at least one absorbent plate portion (9802a, 9802b) to a first temperature; Y the heat source (2200) configured to apply heat to the thermal valve (2160) and the thermal absorber plate (2170, 9800) to heat at least one absorber plate (9802a, 9802b) from the first temperature to a threshold temperature . 2. The device (2000) of claim 1, wherein the cartridge (2120) contains an ejector that advances liquid (2150) through the opening and into the channel when the opening is not sealed. 3. The device (2000) of claim 2, wherein the ejector moves without friction within the cartridge (2120). 4. The device (2000) of any of claims 1-3, wherein the cartridge (2120) is removable from the device (2000). 5. The device (2000) of any of claims 1-4, wherein the channel is configured so that liquid (2150) advances through the channel due to capillary action. 6. The device (2000) of any of claims 1-5, wherein the thermal valve (2160) comprises a rod that is positioned to seal the opening with the thermal valve (2160) in the first conformation and away from the opening with the thermal valve (2160) in the second conformation. 7. The device (2000) of any of claims 1-6, wherein the channel has a proximal end toward the cartridge (2120) and a distal end toward the thermal absorber plate (2170, 9800), and in the that the canal widens into a reservoir at the distal end. 8. The device (2000) of claim 7, wherein the thermal absorber plate (2170, 9800) is positioned to receive liquid from the reservoir. 9. The device (2000) of claim 8, wherein the thermal absorber plate (2170, 9800) comprises a metal. 10. The device (2000) of claim 8, wherein the heat absorbing plate (2170, 9800) comprises a ceramic. 11. The device (2000) of any of claims 1-10, wherein the heat source (2200) comprises a light source. 12. The device (2000) of claim 11, wherein the light source (2200) comprises a laser. 13. The device (2000) of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the resistive heating element (9804) of the thermal absorber plate (2170, 9800) contacts at least a portion of the absorber plate ( 9802a, 9802b) of the thermal absorption plate (2170, 9800). The device (2000) of claim 13, wherein the resistive heating element (9804) of the thermal absorber plate (2170, 9800) is integrated within the thermal absorber plate (2170, 9800). 15. The device (2000) of claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the thermal absorber plate (2170, 9800) includes two absorber plate portions (9802a and 9802b) and resistive heating element (9804) is sandwiched between the two absorber plate portions (9802a and 9802b).